SBI Apprentice Recruitment 2026: Apply Online for 7,150 Vacancies, Eligibility, Exam Pattern & Last Date
For graduates aiming to establish a secure career in the banking sector, the State Bank of India (SBI) has announced a major opportunity. As the nation’s largest public sector lender, SBI has officially released its notification for the SBI Apprentice Recruitment 2026, inviting online applications to fill 7,150 positions across various branches nationwide.
This apprenticeship scheme offers an excellent entry point into corporate banking operations. Selected candidates will undergo a structured, hands-on training framework for one year and receive a monthly stipend of ₹15,000. More importantly, completing this program provides tangible weightage and structural advantages in subsequent permanent SBI Clerk (Junior Associate) recruitment drives.
The online application portal is active, and candidates must submit their finalized forms before the closing deadline on June 8, 2026.
Recruitment Overview
The 2026 engagement drive aims to train young graduates in modern banking operations, digital transactions, and customer relationship systems.
Complete Recruitment Timeline
To avoid processing drops or missing critical validation milestones, applicants must track the official timeline set by SBI’s central recruitment division:
Eligibility Criteria
1. Educational Qualifications (As of the Cut-off Date)
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Candidates must possess a graduation certificate or a Bachelor’s Degree in any discipline (Arts, Science, Commerce, Engineering, or Management) from a university recognized by the Government of India or an apex academic regulatory body.
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Linguistic Prerequisite: Candidates must be proficient in reading, writing, speaking, and understanding the official local language of the state they are applying to. Local language mapping includes Kannada for Karnataka, Telugu for Andhra Pradesh/Telangana, Tamil for Tamil Nadu, etc.
2. Age Limits & Structural Relaxations
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Minimum Age: 20 Years
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Maximum Age: 28 Years
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Birth Window: Candidates must have been born no earlier than April 2, 1998, and no later than April 1, 2006 (both days inclusive), based on their April 1, 2026 age calculation.
Statutory Category Relaxations:
Standard government relaxations apply to the upper age limit for reserved categories:
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Scheduled Caste / Scheduled Tribe (SC / ST): 5 Years relaxation (Up to 33 years).
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Other Backward Classes (OBC – Non-Creamy Layer): 3 Years relaxation (Up to 31 years).
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Persons with Benchmark Disabilities (PwBD): 10 to 15 Years relaxation depending on social demographic classification.
Comprehensive Exam Pattern & Syllabus Matrix
The online written test evaluates candidates across four core functional modules. The test consists of 100 multiple-choice questions (MCQs) for a total of 100 marks, with a strict time limit of 60 minutes.
Sectional Breakdown
Language and Scoring Rules
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Medium of Exam: Except for the General English section, questions will be available in English, Hindi, and the official regional language of the candidate’s chosen state (e.g., Kannada, Telugu, Tamil, Konkani, etc.).
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Negative Marking: The exam includes negative marking for incorrect answers. Each wrong answer will result in a deduction of one-fourth (0.25) of the marks assigned to that question. No marks are deducted for unattempted questions.
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Sectional Cut-offs: There are no sectional qualifying cut-offs. Candidates simply need to maximize their cumulative scores to clear the overall merit list threshold for their chosen state and category.
The Selection Architecture
[Online Written Test (100 Marks)] ➔ [Local Language Test] ➔ [Medical Fitness Exam] ➔ [Final Merit List]
Stage 1: Online Written Test
Candidates must take the computer-based test at their designated exam centers. Shortlists are generated state-by-state and category-by-category based on cumulative marks.
Stage 2: Local Language Test (LPT)
Candidates who pass the written test must demonstrate proficiency in the local language of their selected state.
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Exemption Rule: If you can produce 10th or 12th standard marksheets showing you studied the local language as an official subject, you are exempt from the LPT and move directly to medical checks.
Stage 3: Medical Examination
Selected candidates must clear a medical examination conducted by authorized railway or military-grade public practitioners to certify they meet the physical fitness standards required for banking tasks.
Step-by-Step Online Application Process
Because this recruitment utilizes a dual-portal framework, candidates must complete both registration steps to ensure their application is processed correctly.
Notification
Long-Term Benefits of the SBI Apprenticeship
While the ₹15,000 monthly stipend serves as financial support during the training period, the primary value of this program lies in its long-term professional benefits:
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Invaluable Corporate Experience: You will gain hands-on training within India’s largest public sector bank, learning about financial systems, customer handling, KYC processing, and digital banking platforms.
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SBI Clerk Recruitment Preference: The official notification confirms that candidates who successfully complete their 1-year apprenticeship will receive special weightage points and preference in future permanent SBI Junior Associate (Clerk) recruitment examinations. This gives program graduates a distinct advantage over other candidates.
Important Reminder: Ensure you have your graduation degree certificate or provisional passing transcripts ready before starting the application. Double-check that your name spelling matches your Aadhaar card and school records exactly. Submit your application early to avoid last-minute portal slowdowns before the June 8, 2026 deadline!